Microbial lipolytic enzymes – promising energy-efficient biocatalysts in bioremediation

Abstract Enzymes are biological catalysts that significantly speed up reactions by lowering their activation energy. Compared to chemical catalysts, enzymatic reactions take place in milder temperature conditions. The wide range of advantageous catalytic properties has enabled the use of enzymes in different fields of biotechnology. Microbial lipolytic enzymes have gained attention for the ability to catalyse biotransformation reactions of different esters-bond containing compounds. Conversion of the latter into high-energy products like biofuel and other value-added products (fatty acid esters, mono- and diacylglycerols, etc.) via energy-efficient and ecologically-friendly way makes these biocatalysts an important tool for sustainable biotechnology. However, the role of lipolytic enzymes in the waste management was not being well explored. This review highlighted some important aspects and strategies of lipolytic enzyme-mediated bioremediation to detoxify the lipid, plastic, pesticide and other environmental waste combined with production of important industrial compounds via less energy consuming way. Future perspectives of microbial lipolytic biocatalysts in environmental safety and energy saving are discussed herein as well.